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The Financial Times has since reported that several nations have drafted a response to EC policy makers outlining their concerns.

"Several member states have voiced their disagreement with the level of prescriptiveness of a number of the proposed obligations in the draft regulation," lobbying documents are said to read.

However, in response those leading the reforms at the EC have hit back at the critics, arguing they are being deliberately obtuse in their interpretation of the laws.

"The current Directive states since 1995 that consent has to be 'unambiguous'. The Commission thinks it should be ‘explicit'. Twenty seven national Data Protection Authorities agree. This has become a major talking point," said justice commissioner Viviane Reding.

"What will this mean in practice? That explicit consent will be needed in all circumstances? Hundreds of pop-ups on your screens? Smartphones thrown on the floor in frustration? No. It means none of these things. This is only the scaremongering of certain lobbyists."

Reding also said the need for more streamlined laws was necessary given the amount of important information being given to firms by citizens of Europe.

"We need to ensure that the same rules apply to all businesses providing services to EU residents," she said.

"Non-European companies, when offering services to European consumers, will have to apply the same rules and adhere to the same levels of protection of personal data."